INFLATABLE LIFE JACKETS

Inflatable PFD approval and historyIn 1996, the U.S. Coast Guard began approving inflatable personal flotation devices (PFDs) to meet therequirement to have onboard for one PFD per person. An inflatable PFD may be approved withoutconditions as a Type I, II or III PFD for persons over 36.3 Kg/80 lbs. if it meets the requirements of this46 CFR 160.076 (Inflatable Recreational Personal Flotation Device). Type V life jackets can be approvedif it meets performance levels for a Type I, II or III. It is important the vessel examiner read the label ordata printed inside on the PFD to determine its type, performance levels and any restrictions. InflatablePFDs are more complicated than standard lifejackets. The main characteristic for inflatables is that it hasa chamber or bladder that is filled either by a compressed air cartridge or by mouth.

Who may use the inflatable PFDs?Unfortunately, not everyone was approved to wear the inflatable PFDs. The inflatable PFD is notapproved for children (under16 years of age) and is not recommended for use by non-swimmers. Theyare not approved for water skiing, riding PWCs, white water paddling, knee boarding or similar toweduses. Inflatables are approved by the Coast Guard for stand–up paddleboards. These recreational PFDs,(low profile) have Type III performance and only approved when worn. There are inflatables approvedfor recreational use only and not approved to meet carriage requirements on commercial vessels. Why are there several types of inflatable PFDs?Inflatable PFD devices are classified into various types based on the environment in which they aredesigned to perform and their intended use. The design of the PFD is tested on its characteristics ofbuoyancy and in the water performance. For example, the Type I will be effective for all waters,especially open, rough and remote waters where rescue may be delayed. It is designed to turn mostunconscious wearers in the water to a face-up position. Type II PFDs are designed for use where thewater is calmer and rescue can be expected in a shorter period than in open seas. Type III PFDs aredesigned in protected waters where water rescue can be expected in a short period of time. Is this the right PFD for you and your boating activity?Vessel examiners should know the performance level for each type inflatable PFD as well as theadvantages and disadvantages. The booklet “THINK SAFE” and the inflatable owner’s manual providedwith every PFD are excellent reference materials. Each person buying an inflatable should evaluate theirneeds and read the label before the purchase. Some of the disadvantages and advantages of each typeinclude:

PFD TYPE DISADVANTAGE ADVANTAGE

Type l

• Needs regular inspection • Not for non-swimmers

• Use in offshore remote waters• Turns most unconscious face -up• Floats you the best, highly

visible

Type II

• Needs regular inspection • Not for non-swimmers • Not for activities w/water

entry

• Very comfortable when hot• Highly visible color when

inflated• Good for calm or inland wearers

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PFD TYPE DISADVANTAGE ADVANTAGE

Type III• Needs regular inspection • Not for non-swimmers • Not for long hours in water

• Good for calm or inland wears• Keep wearers face up after

inflation

Type V (SpecialUse Devices)

• May require more than one step for proper inflation

• May only be approved when worn

• Equal to either Type l, II, or III performance as noted on label

• Continuous wear prevents being caught without protection

Frequently asked questions/answers provided by U.S. Coast Guard Boating Safety Division

Question: Why are some inflatables classified as Type III and others Type V. What is the difference between them for the difference in classification?Answer: The difference between the two different classifications is primarily due to the design and complexity of the particular PFD.

Question: Why do some inflatables have to be worn to count while others do not have to be worn? Answer: Some inflatables are more difficult to don, or have different arming characteristics, than others. The more time it takes to don a life jacket, the more likely it will be required to be worn to count.

Question: Do all Type V's have to be worn? Answer: It all depends on the labeling instructions, but in general, most Type Vs are required to be worn, or have other specific conditions that must be met, to meet carriage requirements.

Question: Some Type V inflatables PFD with Type III performance are approved only when worn. Answer: The explanation is contained in the hang tag (pamphlet) attached to all new PFDs.

Here is more general information about life jackets, including the new “life jacket harmonization” projectbetween the US and Canada and what it means for future life jacket labeling:

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Future life jacket classifications provided by U.S. Coast Guard Boating Safety Division

With the new life jacket “harmonization” project between Canada and US, Type codes will be replacedby performance “levels” (70, 100, etc.). The USCG has asked the States to amend their current laws tosimply state that there must be one wearable (appropriate size, good and serviceable condition, andproperly stowed), USCG-approved life jacket for each person on a boat and drop the “Type” codes. Thiswill allow inclusion of the new approved “level” PFDs (and all currently approved PFDs with Typecodes) to meet the requirements for carriage.

Here are some examples of the icons that will be used for future PFDsWearable PFD means a PFD that is intended to be worn or otherwise attached to the body. There are 4“Types” of wearable life jackets. A PFD marked as Type I, Type II, Type III, or Type V with Type (I,II or III) performance is considered a wearable PFD.

The labeling instructions on all wearable PFDs will show the Type (I, II, III or V). Type V does willindicate whether the PFD must be worn to be “counted” as meeting the carriage requirements or for aparticular activity.

Current life jacket information

All lifejackets currently approved with Type codes will continue to be approved for use as long as theyremain in good and serviceable condition.

Type I PFDs or OFF- SHORE LIFE JACKET provides the most buoyancy. They are effective for allwaters, especially open, rough or remote waters where rescue may be delayed. They are designed to turnmost unconscious wearers in the water face-up.

Type II, or NEAR-SHORE BUOYANCY VEST is intended for calm inland water or where there is a goodchance of quick rescue. Inherently buoyant PFDs of this type will turn some unconscious wearers form toa face up position in the water, but the turning is not as pronounced as a Type I. Inflatable Type II PFDs turn as well as a Type I foam (or Hybrid) PFD.

Type III, or FLOTATION AID is good for conscious users in calm inland water, or where there is a chanceof quick rescue. It is designed so wearers can place themselves in a face up position in the water. Thewearer may have to tilt their head back to avoid turning face down in the water. The Type III foam vesthas the same minimum buoyancy as a Type II PFD. It comes in many styles, colors, and sizes and isgenerally the most comfortable type for continuous wear. Float coats, fishing vests and vests designed

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with various features suitable for various sports activities are examples of this type of PFD. This typeinflatable turns as well as a Type II foam PFD.Type IV PFD, or THROWABLE DEVICE is intended for calm, inland water with heavy boat traffic,where help is always present. It is design to be thrown to a person in the water and grasped and held bythe user until rescued-It is not designed to be worn. Type IV devices include buoyant cushions, ringbuoys, and horseshoe buoys. There are no inflatable Type IV devices.

Type V PFD, or SPECIAL USE DEVICE is intended for specific activities and may be carried instead ofanother PFD only if used according to the approval conditions on its label. A Type V providesperformance of either a Type I, II or III PFD (as marked on its label). If the label says the PFD is“approved only when worn” the PFD must be worn, except for persons in enclosed spaces and used inaccordance with the approval label, to meet carriage requirements. Some Type V devices providesignificant hypothermia protection. Varieties include deck suits, work vests and vests with sailingharnesses. There are some state requirements for wearing PFDs for the following:

• For water skiing and other towed activities (use a PFD marked for Water Skiing)• While operating personal watercraft (use a PFD marked for Personal Watercraft or Water

Skiing). • During white water boating activities• Children under a specific age• Cold weather times of the year

Contact your state boating safety officials for specifics for your state.

Title 33 of the Code of Federal Regulations

§ 175.15 - Personal flotation devices required. Except as provided in §§ 175.17 and 175.25: (a) No person may use a recreational vessel unless - (1) At least one wearable PFD is on board for each person; (2) Each PFD is used in accordance with any requirements on the approval label; and (3) Each PFD is used in accordance with any requirements in its owner's manual, if the approval label makes reference to such a manual. (b) No person may use a recreational vessel 16 feet or more in length unless one throwable PFD is onboard in addition to the total number of wearable PFDs required in paragraph (a) of this section. (c) No person may operate a recreational vessel under way with any child under 13 years old aboard unless each such child is either - (1) Wearing an appropriate PFD approved by the Coast Guard; or (2) Below decks or in an enclosed cabin.

175.25 (b) If the applicable State statute establishes any requirement for children of a certain age to wear an appropriate PFD approved by the Coast Guard, then that requirement applies on the waters subject to the State's jurisdiction instead of the requirement provided in § 175.15(c) of this part. Read the PFD label carefully! Some PFDs (and all inflatables) are not approved for certain agechildren, personal watercraft, whitewater, water skiing and similar towed uses.

Mike Lauro DSO-VE

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